Adams, Bridges and Collins announce National leadership bids, hoping to lead party to 2020 election win

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This concludes 1 NEWS NOW's live coverage of the National leadership race, re-live all the days political developments below, as Amy Adams, Judith Collins and Simon Bridges announced they will battle it out for the top job.

Who's in and who's out in the National leadership race.

Source: 1 NEWS

THE STORY SO FAR

Confirmed: Judith Collins, Simon Bridges, Amy Adams

Likely: Jonathan Coleman, Mark Mitchell

Out: Nikki Kaye, Paula Bennett (will run for deputy)

But Papakura MP responds: "People get exactly what they see, so they can trust what I tell them."
Source: 1 NEWS

People get exactly what they see, so they can trust what I tell them "Judith Collin

4:35pm: To recap: Judith Collins, Simon Bridges and Amy Adams have all put their hands up for National's top job after Bill English announced his resignation yesterday.

A number of MPs including Steven Joyce, Mark Mitchell and Jonathan Coleman are yet to rule themselves out of running for the leadership, but are unlikely to announce anything today.

2:25pm: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has likened the National leadership vote to being essentially, "the election of a class president" given people elect one of their peers to take up the role.

2:16pm: Steven Joyce says he is still "considering" his position in any possible leadership bid. He confirmed other National MPs have asked him to throw his hat into the ring, but he has no "personal ambitions" to become the leader.

Joyce says he will run for leader only if it's in the best interest of the party and will make them stronger.

2:08pm: Jacinda Ardern says she knows how these leadership contests work and wishes her National MP rivals all the best as they scrap it out for the leadership role.

Far from enjoying watching National battle it out the PM said: "It brings back traumatic memories if anything."

2.02pm: When asked how she would feel about facing Judith Collins as opposition leader Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she would be "absolutely comfortable" with whoever she was up against.

She says her focus is on serving the New Zealand people and it doesn't matter who the leader of the National Party is in that respect.

1.52pm: National MP Nick Smith has told reporters he will announce whether or not he will stand for his Nelson seat in the 2020 election in "about the middle of next year".

He says that he is committed to serving the people of Nelson as a National Party MP until 2020.

1.37pm: We're got Question Time coming up at Parliament. This will be a time for MPs to show what they've got in terms of holding up against the government. Current leadership runners Judith and Simon both don't have questions, but will surely get involved in the debates. 1 NEWS will be live streaming Question Time on our website and Facebook page.

1.16pm: Points from Judith Collins' interview

- She was encouraged to run during the Christmas break by National members. She didn't as she didn't want to be "disrespectful" English. - "People get exactly what they see, so they can trust what I tell them" - Collins answered when asked by Dann; "Some would suggest you can be abrasive, polarising". - She said PM Ardern put New Zealand's reputation and relationship with Australia "at risk" over issues like Manus Island. - US' new tax policy is "a real risk for NZ". "We need to be very agile and very smart". Collins said she could handle this well as she was a tax lawyer. Said NZ can't be "soft and cuddly". - Home ownership was a big issue for her.

"I am absolutely, very carefully considering it but I haven’t made a final decision yet."

"No, I'm not considering deputy at all, I’m just looking purely at the leadership race."

10.50am: 1 NEWS will be live streaming Simon Bridges' announcement.

10.39am: It is understood Simon Bridges will announce his bid at 11am.

10.36am: Tipped-to-run Amy Adams has not made any suggestion if she will go for the leadership position. Adams was a close supporter of English throughout the leadership speculation, standing behind him with Chris Bishop when he initially quashed rumours.

10.17am: Nelson MP Nick Smith would not comment on who he would be supporting, and if he thought a younger MP should come forward. He also wouldn't confirm running for the Nelson seat in 2020.

He says he's a "brattle" by himself (being the last of the brat pack after Bill English's depature).

9.57am: Latest statement from Paula Bennett -

"I will not be seeking the National Party leadership... Our new leader will need help from an experienced, loyal deputy and I offer that.

"We are really lucky in the National Party that we've got potentially multiple people who could do the role. I hope that here is a healthy contest.

"You've got to do what's right for the country and the party ... this stuff isn't about ego, it's about who's right to potentially lead the country."

1 NEWS’ Political editor gives his analysis after Bill English stepped down today.
Source: 1 NEWS

Jonathan Coleman: UNDECIDED.

The other high-profile member of the National cabinet to speak this morning on leadership. Says he’s "not ruling anything in or out when it comes to a leadership run", adding National needs the best team for 2020.

Simon Bridges: ? The Shadow Leader of the House has been touted as the front-runner for the role of leader but has not announced his candidacy yet. He told media he will be making an announcement later today.

Mark Mitchell: UNDECIDED

The MP told 1 NEWS' Corin Dann he is considering running.

Amy Adams: ? The shadow Justice Minister has been identified as a likely female for the role of National leader but has not announced herself as a candidate.